Automobile web cam and communications system incorporating a network of automobile web cams

ABSTRACT

A communications system incorporating a plurality of vehicle mounted web cams that collect video information and transmit the video information together with other local information via a wireless network to a server. The video streams from the web cams and associated information are available to users on a internet web page. Each camera has a specific identifier to permit users to access the video of specific individual cameras. Optimization software permits users to take virtual trips along predetermined routes. The system also permits sequential access to multiple video feeds from desired locations. Multiple alternative one way and two way video communication methods taking advantage of the network of mobile web cams are described.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/874,676, filed on Jun. 5, 2001 and currently pending.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is generally directed toward web cameras and, moreparticularly, toward a communications system incorporating a series ofmobile web cameras.

2. Description of the Related Art

Cameras that collect video information and transmit streaming videosignals over the internet are well known in the art. Such cameras arereferred to as web cams and are typically disposed at a fixed location.Depending upon the video information being transmitted, the serversand/or software associated with the web cams permit a specific audienceor the general public to view the video feed. For example, the web cammay be mounted adjacent a video monitor and transmit the image of onecomputer user to only one other computer user. Systems incorporatingsuch cameras are typically dedicated or linked for two-way video/audiocommunication, and require passwords or the like in order to access thevideo transmissions. As such, these systems are intended to serve asvideo telephones.

Other web cams are mounted in a fixed public place and are intended toprovide the public with video information that is of general interest.For example, web cams have been used for remotely viewing the weatherand traffic conditions.

Web cams are conventionally mounted at a fixed location to permit accessto data transmission lines, thereby drastically limiting the applicationof web cam technology. Moreover, the systems known in the art do notpermit a user or viewer of video transmissions to search multiple videotransmissions from a network of web cams to identify a particular videotransmission of interest.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a network of mobile web camsand toward a system incorporating a network of mobile web cams. Thepresent invention is also directed toward a system permittingvisualization of images from remote mobile web cams and wherein a useror viewer may select a video transmission of particular interest from aplurality of available video feeds. The present invention is furtherdirected toward a communication system incorporating mobileautomobile-based web cams.

The present invention is directed toward an information or datagathering and distribution system wherein the data or informationgathered includes video information from an automobile-based web cam.Other information that is gathered includes automobile information suchas the speed, location, and direction of the automobile as well asenvironmental conditions, such as the temperature and humidity. Suchgathered information is transmitted via a wireless network from aplurality of automobiles and displayed on an internet page.

The present invention is further directed toward a system and method fororganizing and distributing information from multiple sources. Inaccordance with one preferred embodiment, a user or viewer of the videostream and associated information from multiple automobiles may inputdesired physical parameters and the inventive system will determine theinformation that best matches the user's parameters and will display thecorresponding video information. Depending upon the user selections, theinformation supplied to the user may be information from a singlevehicle or may be information from multiple vehicles provided in adetermined sequence.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method anddevice for optically searching the video information from the network ofmobile web cams is provided. The user may input information to belocated, and the server will search the transmitting web cams to locateweb cams containing the desired video information. The location of theidentified web cam is displayed on a map, and the user may select theweb cam to access the information transmitted therefrom

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and further features of the invention will be apparent withreference to the following description and drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing illustrating a system according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating steps of a virtual trip according tothe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating steps of an alternative embodimentof a virtual trip according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for determining a desiredtravel route using the network of mobile web cams according to thepresent invention; and

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an optical search according to thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawing figures, the present invention will behereafter described. As illustrated in FIG. 1, one aspect of the presentinvention concerns a system or network of automobile-mounted web cams100, 102, 104 that are operable to transmit video information via awireless network 106 to a server 108. The server 108 incorporatessoftware that organizes and displays the video information and otherinformation on an internet web page. As will be apparent from thediscussion to follow, it is contemplated that the server 108 willdisplay the video information in formats desired by the user or viewer.

The system of the present invention takes advantage of a series ofautomobile based web cams. As will be readily appreciated, the number ofweb cams installed will be highly variable. Moreover, the number of webcams broadcasting at any given time will be variable as well. Thesefactors and their importance in the operation of the system according tothe present invention will be discussed hereinafter.

At least one web cam is mounted to each automobile that is part of thenetwork of automobiles. In FIG. 1 the web cams WC1 (100), WC2 (102), andWC(n) (104), wherein n is a variable, are illustrated. Each of the webcams 100, 102, 104 may be disposed at a location and oriented such thatit collects video information of the surrounding environment that may beof interest. For example, the web cams may be mounted to theforward-facing side of the rear view mirror so as to show the area infront of the vehicle. This location provides the web cam with a goodgeneral field of view as to what lies ahead of the automobile. Otherdesirable locations for cameras, which may be additional or optionalcameras, include the side mirror (looking forward or rearward), theheadlight/tail light, the top of the car, the sun visor and otherinterior or exterior locations that provide a desirable field of view.

Placement of the camera on the inside of the vehicle and directed towardthe passenger compartment would enable others to see inside theautomobile. This may be desirable for friends and family members. Forexample, it may prove convenient for a parent to check the automobile todetermine who is in the car with his/her child. Also, rearwardly-facingweb cams could be useful as backup cameras for the driver, as will beapparent from the following discussion.

Each web cam in the system carries its own specific, individualidentifier. In the event that an automobile contains or carries morethan one web cam, the web cam identifiers will preferably be related toone another in a coherent and logical fashion. Naturally, it iscontemplated that access to the video streams from certain cameras, suchas web cams that view the interior of the automobile, may be restrictedby owner-designated passwords and other security measures. It is furthercontemplated that each of the web cams will only be turned on when theengine is running, and may be turned off (prevented from broadcasting)by the driver/passenger input of a password or PIN. Moreover, forsecurity and privacy purposes, it is contemplated that the web cam willbe configured to not broadcast (i.e., turned off) when the automobile iswithin a predetermined distance of any location designated by theautomobile's owner. Such designated locations may be, for example, theautomobile owner's home or place of work, or the homes of the automobileowner's friends and family.

As shown in FIG. 1, the video information from the web cam(s) in eachautomobile is transmitted, via the wireless network 106, to the server108. The wireless network 106 may be a cellular telephone network, adedicated satellite based network, a tower-based relay network, or anynetwork now known or later developed that permits wireless transmissionof the video information from the web cam(s) to the server. In thisregard “wireless network” is meant to be as broad as possible, and doesnot exclude a network that is only partially wireless and, therefore,includes networks that have wireless portions (i.e., between theautomobile or mobile unit and the related tower) that connect with wiredportions (i.e., between the related tower and the server).

Together with the video information, other desired signals will betransmitted over the wireless network 106 to the server 108. Thesesignals may include the speed, direction of travel, and location of theautomobile. These signals may also include environmental informationsuch as the outside air temperature, solar load, humidity, etc. Thelocation of the automobile may be provided by known means, such as aGlobal Positioning System (GPS), or the like. Therefore, the informationtransmitted from the automobile will hereafter be referred togenerically as “transmitted information”, and this term is intended toinclude video information together with any other information, includingaudio information, that may be of interest to the user.

The transmitted information is delivered to the server and the serverdisplays the information on a web page which is accessible to multipleusers/viewers via a wired and/or wireless network 110. In this regard itis noted that the users 112, 114, 116, labeled User1, User2, User(m),wherein m is a variable, may be connected to a land line or may beconnected to the server via a wireless-type connection. For example,User1 (112) may be an individual viewing the transmitted information onhis/her computer or web enabled television. User2 (114) may be a personin an automobile having a video display. Such a video display could bepart of a dashboard-mounted navigation system, or could be a video phoneor a separate unit that is accessible to a passenger (i.e., wirelesslaptop computer, back seat entertainment system, etc.). In this way, theautomobile containing web cam 1 (WC1) may also be User2. This dual rolewill prove useful as it permits the user to see views from theautomobile that are otherwise difficult or impossible to visualize. Forexample, and as noted hereinbefore, being able to see behind theautomobile with a rearwardly facing camera, such as from a tail lightmounted camera, may prove advantageous.

The transmitted information may be displayed in many different formatsor hierarchies according to the present invention. The most simpledisplay would be to have each of the video feeds of the transmittedinformation occupy a window on the web page wherein selection of thatparticular window would enlarge the window for full-screen viewing.However, even in the case of only several hundred video feeds such adisplay may become unwieldy and inconvenient for the user. Therefore, auser-initiated search will preferably cause the server to organize orcategorize the video streams according to the further informationsupplied with the video information from the automobiles. For example,the user may wish to only view video information from web cams in carslocated within a prescribed geographic area (i.e., city, state, country)or may only wish to view video information from automobiles traveling acertain minimum speed, or may only wish to view video information fromautomobiles in areas above or below a certain temperature or elevation.Alternatively, the viewer may wish to only see video transmissions fromcertain cameras (i.e., forward-facing camera, interior camera, etc.).Accordingly, it is considered apparent that the organization andcategorization of the transmitted information for display will take onmany forms according to the present invention, and the present inventionis not limited to any particular display hierarchy specificallydescribed hereinafter.

Moreover, it is contemplated that the server store or archive a seriesof video feeds to permit users to access such feeds at convenient times.Such archived video feeds could be of significant events, such asautomobile or motorcycle races, and other sporting events (i.e.,caddie-cam to view the U.S. Open, jockey cam of the Kentucky Derby, roadraces such as the Boston Marathon and bicycle races Tour de France) andwould provide the user with views from a mobile or moving source.Alternatively, such archived video feeds could be trips traversingspecific paths at visually desirable times of year, such as drives alongthe Blue Ridge Parkway in the fall or through Yellowstone National Parkin summer or winter. Accordingly, the server is useful for storage andsubsequent user-initiated replay of transmitted information, as well asfor live communication of transmitted information.

It is contemplated that such archived video feeds may be produced andedited professionally, and can incorporate views from a singleautomobile web cam or, alternatively, a composite view derived fromplural automobile web cams. Such a composite view may be used to providethe best possible images along the desired route, or to produce otherdesired effects. For example, using existing video morphing technology,the user could have a time-lapse view from a particularly picturesquelocation in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the fall-winter. Such a viewwould be derived from individual web cams taking pictures at the samelocation over a period of time and, when combined by the server, wouldprovide a time-lapse effect. As the database of images increases, thetime-lapse effect may also be historical in nature to show changes in anarea over a period of years.

In this regard it is also contemplated that the web cam user or ownermay store their own trip for viewing at a later time. For example, atrip may be completely recorded on the server and played back once theuser returns home or to some other destination. The web cam owner couldbookmark certain times in the recording to permit quickly advancing toespecially memorable portions of the recorded trip. It is believed thatsuch functionality may be desirable for significant trips (anniversary,honeymoon, spring break) and may also be desirable, in an acceleratedplayback mode, to facilitate giving or remembering directions forpurposes of navigation. It is noted that the web cam may be removablysecured to the automobile and may be carried by the user fortransmission and recordal of non-driving portions of the trip.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the system of thepresent invention is useful in many ways. In the following descriptionthe system set forth above and generally illustrated in FIG. 1 will beused in different preferred embodiments.

With reference to FIG. 2, the system according to the present inventionis useful to go on virtual trips wherein the user can enter desired tripparameters and then sequentially obtain a live streaming video feed froma plurality of automobile web cams along the desired travel path.Alternatively, as noted hereinbefore, the user could access a stored orarchived trip traversing a desired path, or a trip that they havepreviously recorded or stored. With reference to stored or archivedtrips, it is considered apparent that these trips can be accessed orselected from a menu or other means of display.

In accordance with this embodiment, the user enters a desired origin forthe virtual trip (step 200), and then a desired virtual trip destination(step 202). The origin and destination could be cities, or could bespecific addresses. Thereafter, the user would enter the length of thevirtual trip in minutes (step 204).

The server would utilize optimization software to determine the numberof currently-broadcasting web cams between the origin and destination,and to determine which of the broadcasting web cams to use for thevirtual trip. The optimization software would also determine theduration of each view and would start the virtual trip (step 206).

For example, the user could select a route starting in Bangor, Me. andending in San Francisco, Calif., and indicate that the trip take 10minutes. The optimization software would determine the route, search forvehicles transmitting information along the route, determine which ofthe automobile transmissions to use, and determine the length of thebroadcast from each automobile.

In this regard it is noted that while there may be many broadcasting webcams in urban areas, there may be relatively few in rural areas. Theoptimization software would take all this into account when determiningwhich transmitted information to use.

The alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 differs from that ofFIG. 2 by permitting the user to input the number of automobile virtualviews (step 304) to be used on the virtual trip in addition to origin(step 300) and destination (302) to indicate the number of automobilevirtual views to be used on the virtual trip. Accordingly, theembodiment of FIG. 3 provides the user with further control over thevirtual trip constructed by the server software.

Naturally, it is contemplated that selection of the views to be used onthe virtual trip selection process could be further controlled by theuser. For example, the user may indicate that transmitted informationonly be used from automobiles traveling a certain minimum speed or onlyfrom automobiles heading a certain direction along the prescribed route.Moreover, depending upon the transmitted information available, the usermay be able to select video information from automobiles traveling on acertain road or highway. Alternatively, the user may be able to selectthat stored or archived video transmissions or portions of stored orarchived video transmissions can be used to fill in segments lackinglive video feed. In this way, the virtual trip can be customized tosatisfy the user's desires. In this regard it is noted that the virtualtour can be viewed on a normal computer monitor or television, or couldbe viewed using a virtual reality headset or other means.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment, the system according tothe present invention is useful for determining commuting routes. It isoften the case that people have two or more routes available to them forthe commute to and from work. Unfortunately, when they get in theautomobile, they have no reliable means to judge the traffic situationat critical places along the various routes. However, the presentinvention makes it possible to quickly check the traffic flow bydirectly observing the view from automobiles at the areas of interest.The information provided would not only include the location of thevehicle and the video information, but also the speed of the vehicle,making it easier for the driver/user to determine the best route totake.

With reference to FIG. 4, the method according to this further preferredembodiment is illustrated, it being contemplated that these method stepsare performed via the dashboard mounted navigation system or via awireless device such as a laptop computer, web-enabled cell phone or thelike. First, the user selects the area of interest (step 400), whichaccording to the preferred embodiment is an intersection, highwayinterchange, or a length of road. The area of interest may bepredetermined and stored in memory of the input device, as would behelpful when an intersection or the like is to be searched for trafficcongestion daily.

The area of interest may be input into the navigation system or wirelessdevice in any known means. For example, the area of interest may betyped in, or may be selected by means of a mouse and a graphical userinterface of a map-type display, or by any other means. It is consideredthat using maps having a hierarchal structure wherein the user mayselect an area on a large-scale map and then move or zoom in to a morefocused or specific view will be the most effective means of quicklyselecting the area of interest. For example, using map views the usermay select or highlight (i.e., click and drag) a particular length ofroad that is particularly troublesome. Once the area of interest isselected, the user may input other parameters (step 402), such as thedirection of travel, to further specify the desired transmittedinformation of interest.

After the data regarding a new location is entered into the inputdevice, the user will be queried as to whether the data should be storedfor future use (step 404). This is particularly useful for dailycommuters, and will permit them to quickly access the trafficinformation necessary to make the road-selection decision.

Based upon the input area of interest and other parameters, the serversoftware determines and displays individual windows containing one ormore video streams from automobiles in the selected area (step 406). Asin the previously described embodiments, the user may select aparticular video stream to enlarge to permit better viewing of thetraffic conditions. Since the traffic congestion is of interest in thisembodiment, the server software may also calculate and display theaverage speed of the automobiles in the vicinity of the selected area.

The ability to search for traffic conditions at intersections andinterchanges would also be helpful to travelers as they navigate throughunfamiliar areas. The ability to directly view the areas of interestprovides the user with greater confidence and easier decision making.This ability would be particularly desirable when approaching a city anddeciding whether it is better to take a bypass road, which is a longerroute, or to drive directly through the city, which is a shorter routebut typically has more traffic.

The system according to the present invention may also incorporate aseries of web cams at fixed locations. The fixed web cams may be locatedat areas of general interest, such as at major intersections and areasoverlooking highway interchanges and, as such, would be displayedtogether with mobile or automobile based video information duringsearches, discussed hereinbefore. The fixed web cams may also provideviews from areas of specific interest, such as parking lots at shoppingmalls, stadiums, and amusement parks. In this way, overall or “bigpicture” views can be incorporated into the virtual trips and used todetermine the best route available.

In addition to providing video information to the user, the transmittedinformation will also be useful in automobile navigation systems. Forexample, the navigation system could use the automobile speed andposition data when calculating or determining the best route for theautomobile to take to a destination.

In this regard it is noted that the inventors contemplate that thetransmitted information from the network of web cams will be both publicand private. With public transmitted information the general public willbe given access to the streaming video information and/or otherinformation provided by the automobile-based web cams. With privatetransmitted information, access to the streaming video informationand/or other information will be restricted. Moreover, it iscontemplated that some mix of public and private access may be providedwherein some views and/or information will be available to the generalpublic while other views and/or functions are only provided tosubscribers and/or to people having the correct password and/or accesscode.

For example, it may be decided that the video information from allforward-facing web cams will be provided to the public, while otherinformation, including video information from interior-facing web cams,will be private information available only to persons having the correctaccess information. In this way, access to more private information maybe restricted.

Also, it is contemplated that the transmitted information may bedifferent for the various web cams used on any particular automobile.For example, transmitted information from a forward facing web cam may,in addition to the video information, include the speed, location,direction, temperature information. On the other hand, transmittedinformation from an interior-facing camera may, in addition to the videoinformation, include only audio information. Further, transmittedinformation from rearward facing cameras may include only the videoinformation. As can be seen from the foregoing, the amount of availableinformation transmitted with the video information may be freelyselected, or may be predetermined based upon the location of the camerarelative to the car.

Moreover, since each web cam has its own individual identifier,according to another embodiment of the present invention a user canaccess the transmitted information associated with a web cam andautomobile by entering the specific identifier associated with that webcam. In keeping with this embodiment, for example, a family traveling tosee their relatives could give the relatives the access code andidentifier for the web cam. Thereafter, the relatives would be able toaccess the transmitted information to check on the location and progressof the family. Assuming that the transmitted information includes audioinformation and that the relatives have a similar web cam arrangement(i.e., permitting transmission of audio and video information), therelatives would be able to see and communicate with the family duringthe trip.

With reference to FIG. 5, it is further contemplated that, in accordancewith a further embodiment of the present invention, the network of webcams may be used for data mining or survey purposes. In this regard,using optical searching techniques, the web cam video information can besearched to locate video feeds having desirable images within theirfield of view. The location of the web cam could then be displayed on amap (i.e., by displaying an icon on the map). In this regard, as will bediscussed more fully hereinafter, it is contemplated that sponsors couldhave their logos or signage optimized for optical recognition, or couldhave their locations predefined in the server memory. Further, the videofeed of the web cams having desirable images within their field of viewcould be displayed or made available for selective display by the user.

In accordance with this embodiment, a user would input a desired areafor search (step 500). Such an area could be input in any way, asdescribed hereinbefore, including by selecting an area on the navigationsystem map, or by specifying a radius around the user's currentlocation. The user would then input what is to be located (step 502).For example, if the user wanted to locate a nearby gas station, the usercould search for web cams in his general vicinity (i.e, 2 miles) thathave a gas station sign (optically recognizable) within the field ofview. The server would identify the web cams in the specified area, andthen would optically search the identified web cam transmissions andidentify those having gas stations within their field of view. Theserver would then correlate and display the locations of the identifiedweb cams on a map (step 504), and permit the user to select any of theidentified web cams to view the associated video feed. Preferably, theidentified web cams would be displayed as an icon on the map, and theuser would select the icon to view the corresponding video feed. Theuser would be able to zoom the video feed to view price and brandinformation.

It is considered apparent that optical searching could be used to locatemany items of interest, including signs containing recognizable symbols(i.e., parking lots, train stations, bus stops, police station), famoustrademarks for restaurants, hotels, and stores, and that many opticalsearches could be predefined in an automobile based navigation system tofacilitate searching and locating sponsor-specific locations. Also, theuser could select the search criteria from a predefined menu of generalcategories (gas station, hotel, etc.) and submenus containing specificbrands or subcategories.

The brands listed in the submenus may be sponsors of the system and, inthis case, may have their locations readily overlaid on the map duringthe display of search results (step 504). This would insure thatsponsor's businesses are located in the search even if they are notlocated by the optical search. If the sponsor's icon or trademark isshown on the map, clicking on the icon may provide specific informationon that location, including a fixed web cam transmission, pricing andavailability information, as well as links to the sponsor web site andpromotions. Alternatively, the displayed results may be entirely derivedfrom the optical search.

Accordingly, if the user is searching for hotels close to their currentlocation, and does not specify the brand, the sponsors' icons within thedesignated area will be shown on the map as well as other hotels thatare optically identified. Clicking on the icon would display informationon the hotel, if it is a sponsor's hotel (i.e., availability, price,location, fixed web cam view, amenities), or the view from thecorresponding web cam. The search results can be incorporated into anautomobile navigation system such that, upon determination of thelocation of the web cam video feed (by making use of the transmittedinformation), the navigation system can show the location of the hotelas well as driving directions to the hotel. It is considered apparentthat this capability would be very helpful in areas that are unfamiliarto the user, such as when the user is driving a rental car in anunfamiliar city.

Although the present invention has been described herein as it relatesto placement of automobile-based web cameras, it is considered apparentthat the web cams described herein could be used on other devices withequal functionality. For example, the web cams could be placed on boats,personal water craft, lawn mowers, scooters, bicycles, and motorcycles.Accordingly, the term “vehicle” as used in the claims attached hereto ismeant to encompass any movable device to which the web cam may beattached, including powered and unpowered devices.

Moreover, it is further contemplated by the inventors that the web camsand the system described herein could be used with portable web camsthat are hand held or mounted in another movable fashion. As notedhereinbefore, the automobile based web cam may be removably mounted topermit its use in place of a video camera. Also, the web cams could bemounted to pets (i.e., dog cam or cat cam) or to wild or performinganimals (migrating bird cam, dolphin cam, elephant cam). Such camerascould be useful for entertainment and educational purposes, and wouldpreferably include a special identifier to indicate to users and theserver that the camera video feeds are for entertainment purposes and donot necessarily lie at a traversable location. In this way a virtualtrip around the world could include pictures from very remote areas aswell as urban areas.

It is further contemplated that a private network of web cams could beestablished that would be valuable for supervisory and safety purposes.For example, each police officer in a department could have a web camsecured to their hat or badge, and transmitted information would theninclude the video information from the area in front of the officer aswell as the officer's location, etc. The web cams in such privatenetworks could also be used by taxi companies, messenger services,delivery services, and any other enterprise having mobile workers thatneed to be monitored for productivity and safety. Conceivably, thetransmitted information from each web cam could be saved for apredetermined period of time (i.e., one week) and then discarded if notbacked up. This would give supervisors and authorities the chance toreview the transmitted information should the need arise (i.e., in caseof an accident or crime).

The present invention has been described herein with particularity, butit is noted that the scope of the invention is not limited thereto.Rather, the present invention is considered to be capable of numerousmodifications, alterations, and combinations of components and stepsand, therefore, is only defined by the claims appended hereto.

1. A communications system comprising: a plurality of mobile web cams;means for transmitting information from said web cams; means forsearching said transmitted information to find video informationcorresponding to desired parameters, wherein optical searching isperformed on said transmitted information to locate video informationcontaining desired information; and means for displaying said videoinformation.
 2. The communications system according to claim 1, whereinlocations of web cams having desired video information are displayed forthe user's convenience.
 3. The communications system according to claim1, wherein the user may select a geographic area in which the opticalsearching of web cam transmitted information is to be performed.
 4. Acommunications system, comprising: a plurality of vehicles, a pluralityof web cameras, each of said cameras being disposed in one of saidvehicles and being active when the vehicle is running wherein saidplurality of web cameras are directed toward areas outside said vehicle;means for transmitting information from said vehicles via a wirelessnetwork, said transmitted information including video information fromsaid web cameras and an identifier for each of said web cams; and aserver for receiving the video information and providing a plurality ofimages for viewing by a plurality of communication system users.
 5. Thecommunications system of claim 4, wherein said server further classifiessaid video information in public information accessible to all of saidplurality of display sources and private information accessible to onlya selected number of said plurality of display sources.
 6. Thecommunications system of claim 5 wherein said private information isaccessible to display sources using a correct access code.
 7. Thecommunications system according to claim 4, wherein said plurality ofweb cams are directed toward areas outside said vehicle.
 8. A method ofestimating traffic conditions comprising the steps of: providing aplurality of vehicles, each vehicle including at least one web cam;providing means for transmitting information from said vehicles via awireless network, said transmitted information including videoinformation from said web cameras and the location of said vehicles;providing a server for receiving the video information and providing aplurality of images for viewing by a plurality of communication systemusers; and sorting images corresponding to a prescribed geographic areafrom the plurality of images, the sorted images representing an area oftraffic interest.
 9. The method of estimation traffic conditions ofclaim 8, wherein the information transmitting from said vehicles furtherincludes the speed of said vehicles.
 10. The method of estimatingtraffic conditions of claim 9, wherein the images corresponding to aprescribed geographic area are further sorted to be from vehiclestraveling at at least a minimum speed.
 11. A method of creating avirtual trip comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of vehicles,each vehicle including at least one web cam; providing means fortransmitting information from said vehicles via a wireless network, saidtransmitted information including video information from said webcameras and the location of said vehicles; providing a server forreceiving the video information and providing a plurality of images forviewing by a plurality of communication system users; and sorting imagescorresponding to a prescribed geographic areas from the plurality ofimages to create a visual trip from a first point of interest to asecond point of interest.